A walk along the South Tyne Trail, Lambley Viaduct to Alston

  11miles 500ft 

Leaving my car in Alston I caught the bus to Lambley and walked along the path to the viaduct.

The viaduct is 850ft (260m) long.... 

....108ft (33m) high with a modern footbridge over the river South Tyne below

Looking north, down stream

I crossed back over the footbridge for views from below....

....the viaduct opened in 1852 for trains to carry coal and lead from the  Alston mines to the main railway line at Haltwistle 

Sadly it closed in 1976 but the track from Alston to Slaggyford is now used by the Alston heritage railway

Walking the trail had the feel of looking out of the window of a slow train....!

The railway line takes a route which is quite high up on the west side of  South Tyne Dale, affording views across the dale

As soon as they heard the farmer's vehicle they came running from all directions!

The trail crosses the A680 main road to Brampton....

.....and then on to Slaggyford which is the last stop on Heritage line from Alston

Leaving Slaggyford behind the trail continues alongside the current railway track....

....to the next stop Lintley Halt...

....followed soon after by Kirkhaugh Halt....

....where a diesel maintenance engine came past

Now approaching the caravan site near Alston....

....followed by a final look back down the river and rail line...

before arriving at Alston station....

.....with a view to the spire on top of the church of St Augustine of Canterbury

A final look round the Market Cross.... 

....in the centre of Alston...

....and then back to my car

I'd been looking for a walk today that would stay low level given the poor forecast. The Pennine way also follows a similar route up the South Tyne dale and I remembered that being a pleasant day's walk, However  it didn't pass the Lambley viaduct which was certainly the highlight of the day.

 

 A Blackstone Edge circuit from Hollingworth Lake South Pennines 10.5miles 1500ft

After parking at the visitor centre I took a short walk along the lakeside with the M62 to the south....

....before heading east with Blackstone Edge on the horizon

The early morning mist was lingering in the valley....

....just before the sun came up

Looking north to the wind farm on Shore Moor, actually looking quite attractive through the cloud!

....and again

Looking down the Roman road to Littleborough....

....the road passes the Aiggin Stone.....

....with its explanation

Now on Blackstone edge looking down to Hollingworth lake where I was parked....

....and further along the edge is the summit trig point at 421ft

Chatburn reservoir in the Calder valley

Calderbrook

The Pennine Way follows Blackstone Edge and has been greatly improved with this flagging across the bogs....!

....as far as M62 motorway at Junction 22  at its summit....

....and again

The Pennine Way has its very own stylish footbridge...

....and again

Looking west downhill with lorries struggling to the summit

Looking back as I started the descent towards Hollingworth....

....and again....

....with the heather in full bloom

Back on the side of the lake somewhat shrunk after our long dry spell

Finally back at the very modern visitor centre where I was parked.

I had intended going to South Tynedale in the North Pennines, but after a delay setting off this walk was the result! No regrets however as this was a certainly a Grand Day Out

My thanks to anyone who has sponsored Mark as he sets off next week to walk the Camino de Santiago to raise funds for our Charity the Rwanda Group Trust.

He can still be sponsored at:

www.rwandagrouptrust.org 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark-ibison-rgt-caminoingles26?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL

 Keswick to Legburthwaite 

via Castle Head, Derwent water, Lodore falls, Watendlath valley, High Seat, & Goat Crag.

13 miles 2900ft

Having left the bus just outside Keswick I walked down to Castle Head. At only 531ft it still affords some of the best views of Derwentwater and beyond

Looking south to Castle crag with Great End behind....

....an west to Causey pike....

....and hazy Grisedale pike....

....and the ever popular Cat Bells

Now looking north west over Keswick to Bassenthwaite....

....and Nicol End marina

I then continued along the lakeside path....

....passing the bench with the view down the lake....

....and zooming in from there to Castle crag & Great End again

Next came Calf close bay...

....before continuing to....

....the lower Lodore falls

A zig zag path climbs up from there to....

....the bridge over  Watendlath beck where it becomes the Lodore falls

I then began the pathless direct climb up High Seat as described in a walking book I'd read recently.....Never Again!!!!! It was an absolute brute of a pathless climb through deep heather and bracken. It's only virtue being the views across Watendlath valley....

....to such as here with Grange fell

After a long and exhausting climb I arrived at the summit 1995ft

Looking north to Derwentwater & Bassenthwaite

I then continued along the ridge towards Bleaberry fell... 

.....looking to Blencthra, but descided to miss out the summit and descend to Goat crag which I'd once climbed as as described by Wainwright....  

....that was my 2nd bad descison of the day! I wasted over an hour and a great deal of energy looking for the path, and this certainly wasn't it! 

I finally made it down to Shoulthwaite beck close to where I was parked, with a wistful look back at Goat Crag!!!!

A long day of contrasts. I'd been held up by a crash on the M6 for 45 minutes getting here and another 45 minutes on the way home by road works.

The walk as far as Watendlath was wonderful, but after that............